Leeds Rhinos star opens up on surprise positional switch

One of the most interesting stories in pre-season has been the supposed strange positional switch of Leeds Rhinos second-row Morgan Gannon into the halves.

Speaking ahead of today’s friendly against Wakefield Trinity, Rohan Smith opened up on this positional switch:

“Morgan is a very talented young player, he has a really wise, mature head on his shoulders. He played in the halves as a young man but as coaches do we moved him into the forwards based on how he grew.

“Morgan has a really diverse range of skills, he is a clever kid on and off the field. We are giving him the opportunity to show what he has got.”

Gannon started in the halves and even got himself a try as an inexperienced Leeds side lost out to Trinity 38-20.

But what did Smith make of this experiment:

“You guys may call it an experiment but I think every thing an experiment because you’re always trying to make something better.”

That was Smith’s verdict, but what did Gannon himself make of the switch.

“It was good, I got my hands on the ball and ran a lot more. It was good, I enjoyed it,” he said to the Rhinos YouTube channel after the game.

“The fact I just played six in that game helped me concentrate on that role and what I needed to do.

“I think first I’m a runner first whether at six or front row. If there is a pass on the back of that, then great.

“You’re alive with every play, whereas at backrow you can have a play off. At half you have to be on the ball every play. That is the difference in mentality.”

It seems playing both roles has benefited him during pre-season especially:

“I feel good, running at two different positions is good. I have enjoyed both of them and I feel pretty good, fit, fast and strong.”